Perplexed

By Patch Hudson 

This summer has been ace from my perspective. Rather than gambling on foreign players who were at, or approaching the age of 30 with no experience in the quick, physical Premier League, we are going for players who are young, hungry, and British, with experience in the Premier League. Most importantly, these players want to be at Liverpool.

Having addressed our midfield quite sufficiently, now being in a dilemma of who to sell or loan, we already have another dilemma on our hands.

In the early period of the summer it was reported that we were interested in Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, and Scott Dann. While the midfield recruits headlined our transfer news, alongside the longing need of a top-quality left back, the topic of buying a top-quality centre-back slowly faded into the shadows.
Until now.

In the recent match against Hull, not only was the score line embarrassing, but some of the defending was just dreadful (mostly speaking of the second and third goals, the first was pretty poor as well). There was nobody taking charge, organising the defence, or even pressing themselves! This prompted me to ponder our centre-back situation:

Carra – Legend. Always has been and always will be. Even at 33 he has proven he is still one of the top defenders in the league.

Agger – Oozes class and is easily one of, if not, the best defenders in the league when fit, which is his downfall. Statistics show he’s only played 41% of Liverpool’s games since at the club. Very injury prone.

Soto – The big Greek. Soto has proven to be a valuable asset on corners to us in the past few seasons. Hardly top class, but has proven to be a good back-up, but has too often been first choice. Simply not LFC class.

Skrtel – The man who could kill with a stare. Played all 90 mins of every match during the season. Very good CB but if we want to win the title, or be back in the Champions League, we must have a better centre-back.

Wilson – Too young, to put it simply. I rate the kid highly, but hasn’t played enough to garner any hype or put pressure on the starting CB’s. Also played out of position far too many times. I would love to see him loaned out to another Premier League club to get experience.

Upon assessing these options, I felt we need a Centre-Back badly. One that is international class, while being young, and British in order to fulfil FSG policy. It was clear that Phil Jones was our priority, but he’s buggered off to the scum. Which leaves Scott Dann and Gary Cahill, both highly rated.

Gary Cahill is the only one of the two to have any international experience, and he’s just a year older than Dann. He is also one of the most highly-rated defenders in the country, and would be the first choice centre back for England alongside John Terry, once (the twat) Rio Ferdinand has finally been shifted. John Terry himself has told Chelsea to buy Cahill. For LFC, this represents an opportunity: a chance to capture a prized asset, in a position in dire need of reconstruction. However, his price tag seems to be the major issue.
Bolton are demanding £17m pounds for the player, which, for some reason is a stumbling block. Seeing as how crazy the market is today with young, English players, £17m seems reasonable. Also, after being presented with this opportunity, we’ve been given an absolute gift from god in this scenario. Bolton have shown interest in David N’gog (please don’t ask why). This means that with the ball in our court, we could possibly negotiate a deal for Cahill, with cash + N’gog offer. With us valuing N’gog at £6m, and Bolton valuing him at £3m. Even getting £5 mil for him would be a bloody miracle! This would also mean Cahill would just cost £12 million, a mere £1m-£2m more expensive than Dann.

 

It is a common-sense move that would adhere to the old adage “defence wins championships”.

Please follow me on twitter @itsphud I’m desperately lacking in LFC followers :(

Look with clear eyes

By Brian Reece
Twitter @oldfattoad

It has been much debated over the past three to four weeks about our transfers in and out of the club, but the one name that causes more debate than any other is Aquilani, do we sell don’t we sell debates have been on every LFC forum across the globe and I have written my own views on Aquilani on EOTK on a few occasions.

But with the players imminent move back to Italy just days away many fans wonder why Aquilani is going at all, and some want to know why is he going on another loan move and some just think what the big deal is, well its simple really he has nothing to lose.

If Aquilani plays well and Fiorentina want to buy him after the loan period ends great, but if it doesn’t go well for Aquilani then he can come back to LFC and still be on £90k per week warming a bench until his next loan adventure arises, this could in theory go on and on until he has one year left on his contract and then he can demand a move which will cost LFC huge losses or leave for nothing which will be even worse financially for LFC, either way Aquilani represents everything English supports hate about foreign players, overpriced, greedy and lack of talent to price tag, just ask any Chelsea fan they have been on the receiving end of enough of this type of foreign player.

Now before everyone gets excited and starts sending hate mail, I am not saying Aquilani is a bad player I am saying he’s a bad player for LFC and its only when you look with clear eyes you can see why, yes Aquilani came to us injured and yes he needed time to adjust, but when he did play and started to adjust the impression that he made must have been so impressive that we loaned him out to Italy for a year without giving him any chance of showing what he can do or become for LFC over a whole season, what does that tell you as a supporter? It hardly fills me with sorrow to see our midfield general in waiting go, the simple fact is Aquilani just didn’t cut it in the English game and there is no shame in that, many of the so called “great European players” have not made it in the Premier League.

But what is shameful is the way Aquilani is conducting his move or moves, every year that goes bye LFC are losing money on him while he still gets paid for making little or no contribution to LFC what so ever, and the question begs that if Dalglish saw something in Aquilani you could bet your mortgage on it that he wouldn’t be going anywhere no loan deal or sale, but instead a squad number would be issued instantly, the latter has not happened in any shape or form, so who is right Kenny Dalglish or the “save Aquilani band” who must either be relatives of him or just very uneducated when it comes to judging talent plus they obviously must be more experienced than Kenny himself to make decisions with regards to the first team.

I wrote an article a few weeks ago in which I called Aquilani a “leech” and received more hate mail than a axe murderer, also these “fans” told me that Aquilani doesn’t want to go and that am taking rubbish, “he is going to be a Liverpool great” one of these lunatics told me….. “Really” is all that I have to say to them, I know that what I was saying was correct and if “leach” is not the correct word for Aquilani someone please tell me what is, because I cant think of any other polite one at present that I can put in this article.

Our point of view

By Zohaib Bilal
(14 years old LFC fan)

Hello everyone :) I would like to talk about a very important thing regarding next season.

The formation. Too many times have I heard ‘Kenny is a genius he can handle it, we don’t have to worry.’

Enough with so much optimism. I understand that Kenny is a brilliant manager.

He is as good as gets, and I am very excited to see him overseeing us next season.

We all just want to talk about it.

And I am here to talk about the players who are for sure to start and the ones who are fringe players.

 

Firstly, Pepe Reina
The first name on the sheet, we’re lucky to have him. And I’m sure no one will argue with this matter.

Jamie Carragher
Our veteran leader would take a bullet for his club. He is one of the best defenders there are. (Although extremely underappreciated)

Daniel Agger
He is a very good centre back and has always been solid.
He shall start whenever he’s fit.

Glen Johnson
Another great wing back that has received a lot of stick for all the wrong reasons. Fine, he has made some defensive mistakes. But he is a real hard worker and I want to see him start. Has been better defensively at left back but he can play equally well at the right flank.

Lucas
A great servant to the club. I was one of the people who honestly hated him when he first started playing. Bt now he has become a regular starter and a great player. He is brilliant defensively and can spray those passes. Definitely starting. BUT will without a doubt face competition, IF he has a dip in form.

Charlie Adam
Great signing, No one knows if he will start, I definitely would want to see him play ahead of Merieles. Bt he will have to prove himself.

Steven Gerrard
He is starting when fit. Our captain has been of great service to both club and country.

Raul Merieles
He was AMAZING last season. But this season he will find it even more difficult. He has said he wants to stay, and i have no problem as he would provide some depth.

Luis Suarez
He was Liverpool’s best player of 2011(so far). He is starting.

Andy Carroll
He will definitely prove himself. Some wont fancy him, but definitely will start. I can see a bright start from him.

Dirk Kuyt
Another great performer. He has an amazing work rate and it should break my heart not to see him play. Because we have the assurance that even if we are 3-0 down he will run until the final whistle.

Stewart Downing
Spent a good amount of money on him. Has a great amount of pace and an amazing cross. Will provide for Carroll. I have always wanted to see him here, even when he was with Middlesborough.

Jordan Henderson
A decent signing. He has the potential and i trust the King to bring out the best in him.
Wont start but will definitely make appearances.

Jay Spearing
He will find it very difficult. I say he should go on loan for a half season. He is a great player, bt if not now, later Connor coady and jonjo shelvey will provide competition.
Regardless he is a very good player and i would like him to stay just to provide energy. But I have a feeling he might want to leave next year

Jonjo Shelvey
Without a doubt, the next Stevie G.
Would like for him to go on a 6-month loan.

Joe Cole
Great player. And linked up with Andy Carroll perfectly. Bt his salary is too high. Sold.

Milan Jovanovic
Wage is too high. Uncommitted.

Christian Poulsen
He is an OK player.
But should be sold.

David Ngog
Is not needed.
Pacheco can be used as a backup.

Emilano Insua
He is a great left-back. I would love to see him continue. He should stay.

Alberto Aquilani
A great passer. Should ONLY be sold IF for the right price. Other than that he can be used.

Dani Pacheco
Backup striker. And will surely be used more often this season. Also would like to see Fernandez Suso this season.

Maxi Rodriguez
Villain turned hero.
Always at the right place at the right time.
Only to be sold for the right price.

Fabio Aurelio
Great player but very injury prone. Would like to see him start regularly. If not he should make way for the youngsters.

 

The Formation

Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina.
Defence:
In the centre, we will obviously see Carragher. Partnering him will probably be Agger or Skrtel. Both are good options and would like to see them play. Right back and left back are the problems.

For right back we have Kelly,Johnson and Flanagan.

For left back we have Aurelio,Johnson,Insua and Robinson.

We have a couple of options.

Either we play RB: Kelly and LB:Johnson.

Or RB: Johnson LB:Insua.

Or RB: Johnson LB:Aurelio.

Back four could like:

Kelly Carragher Agger Johnson (like last year)

OR

Johnson Carragher Agger Insua

OR

Johnson Carragher Agger Aurelio

All are very good options and tbh i cant decide :)

We don’t have a left back problem, we just need to make use of what we have.
Midfield:
This is the problem in our formation. We have millions of midfielders. Now i think Lucas,Steven Gerrard and Charlie adam as a Three man midfield is great. The bench will have Aquilani,Henderson,Merieles,maxi,spearing and Shelvey. As you can see we have depth and can have various squad variations.
We will probably sell a few players to make some money.

 

Attack:
We have two able strikers. Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll.
Back up could be David Ngog or Dani Pacheco.

I pick Pacheco. Our problem is the fact we have two real wingers in contention.

Dirk Kuyt and Stewart Downing. Dirk Kuyt being a tireless player and giving his all in every match, doesn’t have the same pace and his cross accuracy isn’t as good.

Stewart Downing. Huge season for the 27 year old. He has a decent work rate. Has a lot of pace and has an amazing cross. This will be an important decision.

Options:

1) Goal: Reina

Defence:

RB: Johnson/kelly

CB: Carragher

CB: Agger/Skrtel

LB:Johnson/Insua/Aurelio

Midfield:

CM: lucas

CM:Charlie Adam

CAM: Steven Gerrard

Attack.

RW: Luis Suarez. (playing a bit more centrally)

CF: Andy Carroll

LW: Dirk Kuyt/Stewart Downing.

I really feel guilty about leaving out star perforrmers Dirk Kuyt and Raul Merieles

Once again i know King Kenny is a genius and will probably make a good decision

Bt it cant hurt to just discuss it, can it?

I have complete faith in KD.

And im only 14 so cut me some slack. 

Excuse me for any spelling or grammatical mistakes, I wrote most of it on my cell phone.

Hail King Kenny – second season syndrome?

By Enda Gaffney

Kenny Dalglish’s first full season in charge since 1990 promises to be a defining one for the Reds. Our new owners have entrusted him with restoring our greatness even when they probably considered recruiting a younger manager – thankfully, the owners listened to the fans and King Kenny is back in the dugout.

So what can we realistically expect for the season ahead? Well I expect a lot but as a realist I just can’t see us winning the title. What I crave for this season is that we achieve progress both on and off the pitch.

Kenny has instilled a new atmosphere around the club, one that is best summed up with a twinkle in the canny Scotsman eye. He loves Liverpool and Liverpool love him, he is a club legend and automatically gains the respect of the players both southerners and foreigners. His post match conferences in the second half of the season always showed him in good humour telling it as it is and not engaging in manager speak.

It was Kenny’s relaxed attitude and instant respect amongst the players that was the reason why we sprung up the table in the second half of the season. Fringe players like Meireles and Maxi Rodriguez started performing on a regular basis and youngsters were introduced into the first team delivering assured performances. Kenny instilled confidence around the club and it paid off. Whatever the long-term merits of certain players being at the club is for another day – you work with what you’ve got.

His first transfer window was eventful with two big name strikers arriving to the club. One was expected whilst the other though welcomed was slightly unexpected as well. In true Liverpool tradition we can again talk about a strike force worthy of words!

Luis Suarez will be a Liverpool legend, mark my words! Not many players come from the Dutch or any European league for that matter and settle in as quickly as he has done.

May 9^th 2011 is probably a day I will remember for a while as it was the evening that Suarez became my new Liverpool FC hero. Away to Fulham at Craven Cottage was unplayable – one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in the Premier League – even Mark Hughes, a manager who has been around the Premier League said as much that Luis was on a different level. Drooling over! Back to Kenny – he deserves a bit of credit in helping this player settle in so quickly.

Onto our favourite Geordie, well frankly Dalglish (and Ferguson) is probably the only manager best equipped to realize Andy Carroll’s potential as a striker – he will work with him and encourage him. Carroll knows that his words of encouragement will mean a lot more than coming from somebody like Alan Pardew or Sam Allardyce.

This summer’s transfer window has given Dalglish the opportunity to bring three big names into the club – Henderson, Downing and Adam – and based on the Scotsman track record one would think that they will settle into the squad and quickly challenge for starting places.

Yeah we all know that we would like to see certain players moved on and more big names join the club but that’s not the way football clubs work, (well maybe Manchester City) it is about building blocks for a solid successful future with young quality players. Strength in depth in our squad is what we need to strive for – there will be different players suited to different occasions.

Off the pitch, the new owners need to get working on Stanley Park and building a sustainable future for the club. Arsenal’s revenue from corporate boxes is nearly as high as the entire they had from Highbury. Anyway, FSG are businessmen with success from sporting franchises in North America so I expect them to make progress sooner rather than later. For them it seems to be all about balance which is fair enough considering the last owners who just seemed to take and take.

We’re getting back to the top but this season we need to see all our players performing for Kenny and dying for the shirt. From belief we will get results and finishing as high as 2^nd could be on the cards this season setting us up for the title next year. There is no way we’re going backwards in Dalglish’s first full season in charge.

As always the key is King Kenny!

The Daily Antoine: 26th July 2011 – Liverpool F.C. News update

In Case you missed it from the other night but Luis Suarez was awarded the Copa America most valuable player more…
(They just couldn’t get enough)

Houllier has predicated that Stewart Downing will fit well with the LFC squad more…
(YNWA)

Ian Rush predicts that Suarez and Carroll will deliver the goals more…
(YNWA)

Pacheco could be headed back to Norwich more…
(NO)

Liverpool will still play in Norway next week despite the terror attacks more…
(YNWA Norway)

The Italian press is reporting again that Aquilani will be loaned out to Fiorentina more…
(They all want him but none of them want to pay the bill) 

On Twitter @empireofthekop

The Daily Antoine: 25th July 2011 – Liverpool F.C. News update

Luis Suarez was on target as Uruguay claimed the Copa America title more…
(YNWA)

And Suarez targets a Liverpool title more…
(Let’s do it)

Liverpool have signed Villyan Bijev more…
(Great to see more kids signing)

Henderson and Downing are not concerned with the result against Hull more…
(Agree)

According to Italian Media reports Aquilani is edging closer to leaving LFC more…
(BS) 

A report on the Daily Mirror suggested that Bayern Munich are interested in Daniel Agger more…
(Hands off our Danny)

Poulsen is being linked with Fulham more…
(Hummm) 

On Twitter @empireofthekop